Stream

[Bogart]

I must have run out of relevant topics as all I seem to be posting now are off topic really, so here is another.
We have what I describe as a fake stream. It works in the following fashion. Water is pumped from our well and appears in the top section of the stream. It
then cascades down over a couple of, weirs for want of a more apt term, then into a pond pic 1. The water is then pumped back from the pond up to the top section again so
there is constant water movement. It looks, and sounds, quite nice with one big problem.
Namely the stream bed has be dug out of predominantly clay soil. I find that a lot of the water seeps away through the banks, especially if we have a few hot days. You can see the clay cracked in pic2
I have tried to use wet clay like a sort of putty to fill the gaps but it then dries and the cracks reappear. What I am looking for is something to line the sides to prevent
the water escape but look natural.

 

[88v8]

Was this your handiwork? Nice idea!!

Mmmm, shrinkable clays.

If it were me, I'd line the channel with a good black pond liner, then get some long turves and lay them on the bank such that they extend down into the water to cover the top of the liner.
Not perhaps quite the effect you're seeking.

OK, well, there's puddling, you might explore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puddling_(civil_engineering)

and more practically, here https://www.flowerpotman.com/garden-pond-builder/how-to-make-a-clay-pond/
I expect you have a few sheep.

Ivor

 

[Bogart]

Hi

Not my idea originally . inherited it, well bought it.

Never thought of lining in plastic then covering in turf. I think might look the part. Not sure how the turf would react to being under water with a plastic underlay. Definitely worth thinking about.
I did consider lining with small pebbles set on cement/concrete but frankly I have not the time to spare on such a solution as have more pressing matters.

 

[88v8]

The grass would die if it's permanently submerged. There are grass varieties that will survive better, ask your turf supplier. But even when dead, the roots will tie the soil together. The best way I know to make a lined pond or channel 'natural'.
The liner should be butyl (couldn't think of it yesterday) will outlast plastic many times.

Ivor

 

[Bogart]

Might, next year, put my mind to it. Probably dig out the bank, then use a liner, butyl as mentioned is longer lasting and more flexible, then put the clay back on top.
Or again I might go the puddling route. Really soften the banks and then try to compact down and possible inlay with pebbles, unfortunately no sheep.

 

[Flyfisher]

A butyl liner should certainly solve the problem of water loss, but it looks like a quite extensive ‘stream’ so will be a lot of work.
Do you have any idea of how much water is being lost over a year? Just thinking of an alternative option of simply topping up the lost water, depending on the amount needed. Using mains water might seem somewhat wasteful but a few 1000 litre IBC containers linked together and filled with rainwater might be able to be hidden away behind some foliage somewhere. Used IBC containers are widely available for around £30 . . . just be careful what they’ve been previously used for. ‘Food grade’ contents should be ok when rinsed out but definitely avoid anything previously used for fuels or solvents. Just an idea.

 

[Bogart]

Is filled from a well. The only expense is the cost of electricity to pump the water from the well. The well never dries out. Last summer was a good example the water level was till some 30 ft deep.Problem is
I often forget to switch the pump on, for weeks on end, resulting in a "dry steam bed". Maybe I should just be more observant.

 

[Craig89]

If the issue is forgetting to switch the pump on to top up, could you put a float in the stream or one of the pools to switch the pump on in the well when the water reaches a certain level?